Forced-labor Section 301 — Nigeria — 12.5% additional duty

A Section 301 measure is a U.S. trade action addressing what the U.S. government has determined to be an unreasonable or discriminatory foreign trade practice, or another practice covered by Section 301 of the Trade Act. In this case, the measure is described as relating to forced labor and Nigeria. The measure imposes an additional duty on covered imports; this is separate from the normal HTSUS duty and other applicable import charges.

The measure typically matters to importers bringing covered products with Nigeria as the relevant country of origin into the United States. Coverage depends on the measure’s official product scope, usually identified by HTSUS classification and any stated origin or other conditions—not simply on the product’s shipping route or the supplier’s location. Importers must classify the merchandise correctly, determine its country of origin, and check whether exclusions, exceptions, or other trade measures apply.

What to check

• Confirm the product’s correct 10-digit HTSUS classification using the goods’ material, function, construction, and other classification facts.
• Verify the country of origin under U.S. origin rules; do not assume that the ship-from country is the country of origin.
• Read the official Section 301 scope and measure instructions to determine whether the HTSUS provision is covered and whether any exclusions or special conditions apply.
• Check whether the additional duty must be reported separately from the ordinary HTSUS duty and whether other measures, such as trade remedies or quotas, also apply.
• Keep product specifications, sourcing records, origin documentation, and classification support; ask a customs broker or trade counsel to review uncertain classifications or origin determinations.